Folding bed



Mar. 3, 1925.

Filed Oct. 12, 1923 J. l. SMITH FOLDlNG BED MMM l Mar. s; l1925.

FOLDING BED IFiled Oct. 12. 1925 5 Sheefts-Sheet 2 y y gmwro@ IJUSQU/bl. 517111172/ atto/:nua l Mar. 3, 1925. 1,528,031-

' J. l. SMITH FOLDlNG- BED Filed Oct. 12, 1925 3 SheetsSheet 3 PatentedMar. 3, 1925.

UNITED; S-lAnEs;

FOLDING, BED.

Applicationled October 12, v1923; Serial VITo. v6(i8,1v44f.

To all fui/writ. I? mag/'concern' l Be -itknown thatI;osEPHs I.SivrrTH,. a citizen of. the United States, residing at Ogden, in theCountyoffWeber'andfState. ofv

Utah, have vinve,'nte-d,eertaiirnew and useful improvements infAFoldinlgf'" Beds, of 'which thefollowing is a speei:tieation.i

lily" invention relatesto a folding. bed, to

be mounted upon the runningfgboard of .an

10 automobile,or'likevehicle'x Y, An important objeet Aof the inventionis to provide` al bedoftlie above InentibnedAvv Theftop section 17 51shingedto the top,see-

character, thewpalrts of .whih may Vbe ,coll lapsed ,into yaNver'yeoinpaet forni, j fork arrangementjwithinfa ,oasing'orntrunln tobeattaehed t the, running '-board, whereby "the appearance lof theJ1dev'ice 'when, folded,

be neat. Y and attraCtY- A further ,obj le *the inventien is to providexaffoldinggbed,ofthe above men? tionedfeharaeter, whieh yis extremelystrong light and durable,1

A furthervobject of the invention ist0 provide combination folding bedandreasing or trunk, with, the out'erfside of the, cas'-l ing servingiasa table for use in connection with the bed).

Other objects fand, vadvantages of `the irl-- vention will .be/ apparent-during' ,the course "V of the followingP description.

Inv the `accompanying drawings, forming a lpart of ,this speeie'ation,andlin 'which like numerals are, employedto .designate like partsthroughoutwthe saine, j l Figure 1 is a ,perspeetiye .viewof the bedand'leaS-ing, showingvthe,bedffolded, the, outer sideof .theeasingwremoved,

Figure 2 is a perspetive view of theouten side ofthe Casing, alsoserving ,as a table .10" top, Y

Figure 3 is, a perspetiveview ,of the apparatus, thewbed springkbeing,omittedfor thesake ofelearnessshowingfthe bed partly V W i as atable top, .iniiafmanner to bedeseribed collapsed,`

bedeompletely'opened, y l

Figure 5 is a centralgvertieal .longitudinal section throughthe Lbed,opened,

Figure 61 is." an ,enlarged side elevation of Figure 7 Ais aplan'viewfofthe "saine, and,

Figurey 8 isa ,perspeotive view :off .the outer side ofthesam'e.

Figure his A,a similar view` showinghe In the drawings,y wherein for thepurpose ofiillustration is shown apreferred embodinient of my invention,the numeral l() vdesignates a casing,y preferably simulating a trunk.This'easing embodies` a bottom 11, verticallends 12,`a1n inner side 13,anda top1 section 14, as"show n.` The ,casing-is rigidly inount'edfuponthe Vrunning board lfof an automobile, by any suitable means.r

The Anumeral lldesignates a movable -top section or cover, embodyingzatopsection 17, sidesection 18andfends 19, as shown.

tion ,'14, to swing in avertical planer, as indiatedat 20, The ends`12have yopenings, or Vcut-,away fportion's ,21, 'for` ,the receptionofendslQi,

The outer Isideof'the,,casingvlO is formed openandisfadapted tofbelcovered by aside or combined sidelrand table-,top 22,preferabliyzvsiirnulating the,"side ofatrunlz. This side '22'is providedvuponlits vinner face with a. rectangular niarginalflange 23, adaptedtoV engage within the, `bottom kand endsuof .the casing\l0,;to preventend play of the side 22 therein; The lower edgev of the side 22,projecting :beyond the fiange .23, engages within brackets. Vor Kcatches 24,.l which, prevents this lower end from. partalingiof outwardmovement.A The upper end of, the. side 22 is equipped with a trunk latchelement 25, for detachable connectionwith coastingA trunk latchelements26,`carried upon the swingingdlop orpcoverwl.. The side 22 isalso provided, witha ,trunk lockfelement 27, for engagementxwith .a`coaeting trunk loekele- 1nent ,28, which `is'secured to the swingingtop1 oncover 16as shown.' It' is Ythus seen thatwvhen. the ,sidef22 iskin the Closed vposition,uponthe casing 10, and the top or Cover 16 isswungdownwardly, that the side 22,1nay belocked invithe closed position.

The side 22 l is also adapted` tov function Y and f0r,this purpose1,hinge fo'ldable legs 29;,uponthe innerjface` thereof, Figure 8',

which legs are adapted-to fold within each other tdbearrangedsubstantially flat, in

within the flange These legs-areadapted to v.be `swung outwardlyxtodepend Vfrom ythe element 22fat a right angletheretqv'and mayjbefloekedin the outenposition bynieans The folding bed embodies foldablelongitudinal rail sections 32 and which are preferably angle irons ofinverted L-sliape in cross section. Each rail section embodies avertical web 34 and a horizontal web 35.

As more clearly shown in Figure 6, the numeral 37 designates a pivotplate, arranged upon the outer side of the vertical webs 34, in contacttherewith. This plate is pivotally connected with webs 34 by pivotelements 38', which may be in the form of rivets or any other suitablemeans. The pivot plate 37 projects downwardly beyond the webs 34 for asubstantial distance. The two pivot plates 37 are connected by a trans--verse bridge rod 38, the ends of which are preferably shouldered andscrew threaded for receiving clamping nuts 39. The lower edges of thevertical webs 34, which are arranged in the same plane, have notches 39therein, for receiving the bridge rod 38, when the bed is folded.

The numeral 40 designates diagonal braces or links, disposed at eachside of the bed bottom, and arranged inwardly of and adjacent to thelower end of each pivot plate 37. These links are pivoted at their lowerends, as shown at 41, while the upper ends of these links are disposedupon the inner side of the webs 34 and are pivoted thereto at 42. rllhepivot plate 37 being arranged upon the outer side of the webs 34, andthe links 40 upon the inner side thereof, positions these parts indifferent planes. YWhen the rail sections 32 and 33 are shifted to theopen horizontal position, Figure 4, the bridge rod 38 engages the lowerends of the diagonal braces or links 40, and hence a powerful lock orbrace is provided, for holding the rail sections 32 and against downwardmovement.

Arranged upon the inner sides of each pair of vertical webs 34. seeparticularly Figures 5, 6 and 7, is a lock plate 43, pivoted to the webs34 by the pivot elements 38. This lock plate is arranged beneath thehorizontal webs and carries an upwardly pro- ',ieeting tongue or bolt43, to engage within notches 44, which notches are broughtintoregistration,` when the rail sections 32 and 33 are shifted to thehorizontal position. rlhe lock plates with their tongues or bolts 43,and associated elei'nents. serve to securely connect or lock the inneiends of: the rail sections 32 and 33 together, when shifted to thehorizontal position, Figure 4, and particularly lock them lagainsthorizontal or lateral relative movement. rEhe pivot plate 37 and thelock plate 43 function to provide a powerful connection between the railsections 32 and The outer end of the foldable bed adapted to besupported in the horizontal or open position by means of a foot element45, eiubodying legs 46, connected by horizontal transverse bars 47. Eachleg 46 is pivotally connected at 48 with an upper horizontal strap orlink 49, projecting upon the inner side of the web 34 of the railsection 33, and pivoted thereto at 50. The numeral 5l designates a lowerdiagonal strap or link, the lower end of which is pivoted to the leg 46.at 52, while its upper end is pivoted to the web 34, at 53, the pivotpoints 50 and 53 being spaced, as shown. The strap or link 5l ispreferably offset laterally outwardly, as shown, whereby the strap 49ma', fold inwardly of the same. rangement is such that the foot elementis adapted to be folded flat within the rail sections 33, as indicatedin Figure 3. Y

The rail sections 33 are rigidly connected by means of a transverse rail54, arranged above the same at their outer ends. The rail sections 32are rigidly connected. at their inner ends by a transverse rail 55,disposed above the same, at their inner ends, as shown.

The inner ends of the side rail sections 32 are pivoted to swing in avertical plane to angle irons 56, as indicated at 57. These angle ironsare securely anchored upon the bottom l1 of the casing 10, adjacent tothe ends 12. The rail sections 32 and 33 fold upwardly within the casing10, and assume substantially vertical positions, and the then lower endsof the rail sections 33 are locked to the horizontal angle irons 36 bymeans of sliding` bolts 58, attached to the transverse rail 54, andadapted to engage within openings 59, formed in the rails 56.

The bed may be equipped with any suitable form of flexible spring orbottom. and I have shown a spring bottom 60, Figure 1, the ends of whichare attached to the transverse rails 54 and This spring bottom embodiesside straps 6l, which may be formed of metal, and having their innerends connected by flexible inserts 62, which may be formed of leather.These inserts are adapted to fold over a transverse band or strap 63,having connection at their ends with springs 64, which are in turnattached to the inner ends of the horizontal webs 35, as shown at 65.

The operation of the bed is as follows:

Then the rail sections 32 and 33 are foldcd to the vertical position,Figure l, their inner edges substantially contact, and the pivot plates37 are vertical, with the bridge rod 38 entering the notches To arrangethe bed horizontally for use, Figure 4, tho top or cover section V16 isswung to the open position, Figure 1, and the side 22 removed. The railsections may now be shifted to the The arhorizontal position, asindicated in Figures 3 and 4, and the foot element 45 is arrangedvertically, with the upper strap or link 49 engaging beneath thehorizontal web of the rai] section 33. The bridge rod 38 Will engagesientes lower .ends if the diagonal braces or linksO, andadoubletriangular structure zis produced, pbsitively lodking the innerends of therail-sectioirs againstdownwartbmovement beyond thehorizontal, The locking ,plates 'ralso 'aid'A inY this action,- vand'furthei prevent lateral 'relatiye movements of *the railssec'ti-ons;Then folded `horizontal-1y, Figure Llaftia-*f lexit-le terminer-spring60 is properly it'ensi'oned'V l Ain important f'eat'uie lof theinvention is the provision of the side element 22?, which whentlre Ilegs29 carried Atlie're'by 'are'lswung outwardly, is adapt-ed to function asa table, for use connection with the bed. The

'table may be arranged near the bed andthe user may sit upon the bed andeat from the table.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts, may beresorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or thescope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: Y

l. A folding bed for an automobile or the like, comprising a frameembodying foldable side rails, pivot plates pivotally connected with theinner ends of the side rails and projecting downwardly below the samewhen the side rails are in the substantially horizontal position, atransverse bridge rod connecting the lower ends of the pivot plates,pairs of diagonal links rigid in their vertical planes pivoted at theirupper ends to the side rails at points spaced outwardly from the pivotpoints of the pivot plates, means pivotally connecting the lower ends ofthe diagonal links in each pair, such lower ends heilig adapted forcontact with the bottom of the transverse bridge rod, the pairs of linksbeing free from connection with the pivot plates and bridge rod andadapted to be positively moved out of contact with the bridge rod whenthe side rails are folded, means for pivotally connecting one end of theframe with the automobile, and means for supporting the outer end of theframe when in the open position, and a foldable bed bottom carried bythe frame.

2. A folding bed for automobiles or the like, comprising a frameembodying foldable side rails, pivot plates arranged upon the outersides of the rails near their inner ends and pivotally connectedtherewith, said pivot plates extending downwardly beyond the rails whenthe rails are lin the substantially horizontal position, a transversebridge rod connecting the pivot plates, pairs of diagonal links rigid intheir vertical planes arranged upon the inner side of the side rails andpivotally connected therewith at points spaced outwardly from the pvtsjfthe pieten plates, :means pivotally" @enacting the lower Vends-ofEthediagonal links ineach par', su'ch lower end-'s being -disposedinwardly of A'the pivot 1plates and 4arramged toengage'rwith the''leweieine of the transverse 'bridge rod, sai'dpairs olf `links beingfree from connec- 'the inner end of the lframe iipo'r the aufeminin', acollapsible leg elementcarred by the buter enrifof the' frame, and a'feldable'bed bottom carried by lthera'me.

3. A folding bed for automobiles or the like, comprising a frameembodying foldable side rails, said rails having vertical and horizontalwebs, said horizontal webs being provided at their inner ends withopenings, a pivot plate arranged upon one side of the vertical webs andpivotally connected therewith near their inner ends and projectingdownwardly below such webs when the side rails are in the substantiallyhorizontal position, a transverse bridge rod connecting the pivotplates, diagonal links pivoted to the side rails and having their innerends pivotally connected, such inner ends being arranged to engagebeneath the bridge rod when the side rails'are shifted to the openposition, lock plates arranged upon'the opposite side Iof the verticalwebs and pivoted to the same near their inner ends and carryingyupwardly projecting tongues to enter the openings in thehoiizontalwvebs, means for pivotally connecting the inner ends of theframe with the automobile, and foldable means carried by the outer endofthe frame to support thesame, and a bed bottom carried by the frame.

4. A folding bed forautomobiles or the like, comprising a frameembodying foldable side rails, pivot plates arranged upon the outersides of the rails near their inner ends and pivotally connectedtherewith, a f

transverse bridge rod connecting the pivot plate, diagonal links pivotedto the side rails and pivotally connected at their lower ends, saidlower ends engaging beneath the bridge rod, lock plates arranged uponthe inner side of the side rails and pivotally connected therewith neartheir inner ends, said lock plates having means for interlockingengagement withr the inner ends of said rails, means pivotallyconnecting the inner end of the frame with the automobile, a foldablesupport for the' outer end of the frame, a supporting element extendingtransversely of the frame near its center and connected with the innerends of the side rails, and a bed bottom attached to the frame andfoldable transversely about the supporting element.

5. In a folding bed, a foldable frame 1ncluding side rails, pivot platespivotally connected with the ends of the side rails, a bridge rodconnecting the pivot plates and disposed beneath the side rails, pairsof diagonal links rigid in their Vertical planes pivoted to the siderails at points spaced from the pivots of the pivot plates, meanspivotally connecting the inner ends of the links in each pair, suchinner ends being arranged to contact with the bottom of the bridge rod,said pairs of links being free from connection With the pivot plates andthe bridge rod and adapted to be positively moved out of contact withthe bridge rod when the side rails are folded, a bed bottom carried bythe frame, and means for supporting the ends of the fra-me.

6. In a folding bed, a oldable frame including side rails havinghorizontal and Vertical Webs, the horizontal Webs having 2o notches attheir inner ends, locking plates pivotally connected With the verticalWebs near their inner ends and carrying upwardly projecting tongues toenter said notches in the horizontal Webs, a bed bottom carried by theframe, and means for supporting the ends of the frame.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature.

JOSEPH I. SMITH.

